Tim Wakefield choked back tears as he announced his retirement from baseball and the Red Sox Friday afternoon.

"This has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do," Wakefield said. "It is with a heavy heart I stand here today."

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Wakefield, 45, is retiring after pitching the last 17 seasons for the Boston Red Sox.

"I always said I wanted to retire a Red Sox and today I have been able to do that," he said.

Wakefield is first in team history with 3,006 innings and 430 starts, and second in games and strikeouts.

"Tim Wakefield has an exceptional place in Red Sox history and lore, said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. He has made more starts and pitched more innings than any other pitcher in our history."

"I have been lucky to live out my dream. The first time I stepped out of the dugout and saw the Green Monster for the first time, I knew I was where I belonged," Wakefield said.

Wakefield pitched for the team longer than any pitcher in team history. Only Carl Yastrzemski (23 seasons), Dwight Evans (19) and Ted Williams (19) played longer.

"For the past 17 years, all I have ever wanted to what was best for the organization," Wakefield said. "I had to take a hard look at what was best for me, my family and the Red Sox. In my heart, by retiring I am giving the Red Sox a better chance to win."

After two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the right-hander signed as a minor-league free agent in April 1995. He was 186-168 with a 4.43 ERA with the Red Sox. Only Roger Clemens and Cy Young had more wins (192) with the team.

For his career, Wakefield was 200-180 with a 4.41 ERA He was 7-8 with a 5.12 ERA last season in 23 starts and 10 relief appearances.